Clinton adult swim team aims to compete in summer events
If you’re an adult who can swim across the pool, you can join the city of Clinton’s new adult swim team.
That’s how Jonathan Leninsky, team captain and city aquatics coordinator described Clinton’s swim team, which is for adults regardless of gender over the age of 18.
He quoted the organizing group saying the qualification was “a pinky promise that you can make it across the pool.” He stressed it was available to all skill levels.
“All are welcome: former U.S.A. masters, individuals looking to relive the glory days of summer swim, and those just looking for some additional motivation to work out,” he said. “This team’s focus is on fun and relaxing with new people.
“This isn’t going to be your standard swim team where there are dedicated practices and coaches helping you out, especially this year,” Leninsky said. “This is a team formed from people who love swimming and want to see what they can do. We don’t care if you’ve never swum before. We don’t care what your times look like. The main question will always be: are you having fun?”
A website states the Clinton team plans to compete at meets on June 8 at Knoxville Racquet Club, June 10 at the Jefferson City Outdoor Pool, tentatively at the University of Tennessee on either July 15 or 16, the Knoxville Racquet Club on July 29, and the Grown-Up Swimming Championship of the World on Aug. 10 at Knoxville Racquet Club.
Leninsky stressed, however, that not all team members have to make it to all of these meets or all of the practices.
There isn’t a deadline for joining the program overall, but Leninsky said people should sign up at least by “a couple of days” before the meet at which they wish to compete, although he said it might be possible to sign people up even the day of the competition.
“If you feel like you will get your money’s worth out of it, then join,” he said. “Whether that’s all five meets or just the one, as long as you are having fun and it is worth it to you, we encourage you to reach out.”
Leninsky said that even he might not be able to make it to all of the meets due to his schedule.
These events will be 25 yards, 50 yards, and at the longest a 100-yard freestyle event, he said.
Participants may sign up for as many or as few as they want to challenge themselves with, Leninsky said. The meets are designed to be fast-paced and completed in only a couple of hours.
He said he hopes to enter more competitions next year as other teams join.
A group of teams, he said, founded the Grown-Up Swimming program in Atlanta because they wanted to revive their summer swimming.
It has since expanded to East Tennessee.
Leninsky said there are multiple reasons why these teams and meets appeal to people.
“Some people want to relive the days of summer swim as a kid,” he said. “Others want a new way to challenge themselves. Others still just want to have contact with like-minded people.
“For me ... I want to feel the rush of adrenaline of competing again,” he said. “No other sport has given me as big a challenge [or] sense of accomplishment than swimming.”
He said adult sports in general give people a place to bond outside of work.
The fee to join Clinton’s team is $75, which covers the cost of the website, insurance, timing system and swim meets. Register cast-gus.swimtopia.com/.
For more information and questions, contact Jonathan Leninsky at 865-259-1164 or email jleninsky@clintontn.net.
